Who should the Cavaliers sign with their final roster spot?

Who should the Cavaliers sign – Keep mining the G League

This option would be the path that looks most to the future, although it’s possible it could help this year down the stretch. The Cavaliers initially dipped their toe in this option, signing Cleveland Charge sharpshooter Sam Merrill to a 10-day contract.

It will be fascinating to see if the Cavaliers actually plug Merrill into the rotation; J.B. Bickerstaff has spent the last two months narrowing the rotation, but the team signed Merrill for a purpose. He does bring something that this roster doesn’t have as a movement 3-point shooter who can step onto the court and start bombing away.

There are other gems to be found in the G League as well. Sharife Cooper has been one of the best point guards in the G League this season and plays for the Charge. Jay Huff was an interesting prospect as the “unicorn” big archetype, a center who can shoot and defend the rim to some extent; if his current 10-day contract runs out the Cavaliers could give him a try.

The reason the Cavs would sign someone out of the G League is to give them some time with the parent team for evaluation. If things go well, with Merrill or Cooper or anyone else, they would then agree to terms on a multi-year, team-friendly contract. That’s how teams uncover hidden gems at this time of the year.

There is a way to pursue two different paths as well, converting Isaiah Mobley or Mamadi Diakite into the full contract and then using the newly-vacated two-way spot to sign someone like Cooper. They certainly have some flexibility in trying to mine for talent at the back end of the roster.

There are veteran options out there, but it’s more likely the Cavaliers go the route of using that spot on a younger player. Isaiah Mobley makes the most long-term sense, giving him experience in the locker room of a playoff team. Don’t be surprised if they go a different route, however, such as keeping Merrill past the end of his 10-day contract.